Mari's ANs: Sammy and Ilna, love you to the moon. REAL McRollers and Readers, thanks doesn't seem like enough, but thank you always.

Sammy's ANs: Mari & Ilna-you're the best. McRollers-thanks for reading.

An Ever Expanding Enclosure (1/1)

"Did I tire you out enough that you can go back to sleep?" Catherine teased as she slid out of bed and pulled on a pair of shorts and a tank top.

Steve waggled his eyebrows. "Maybe you should come back to bed and try again just to make sure."

"Too late." Catherine nodded towards sounds of excited footsteps and muffled whispering in the hall. "The kids are up and they're very excited to make you a surprise birthday present. So find a way to keep yourself busy for about half an hour then come down to the kitchen."

Steve looked around the room. "I've been meaning to fix that loose tile in the bathroom."

Catherine grinned. "Whatever it takes. Just do it quietly."

As the muffled whispers got closer to their door Catherine slipped out and told the kids, "Shhh. Daddy's still sleeping."

DJ looked somewhat skeptical being as his father never slept in, even on his birthday, but Angie giggled with excitement and virtually skipped down the stairs.

Catherine dropped her arm across DJ's shoulders. "Let's get Operation: Birthday underway."

Forty minutes later as Steve approached the kitchen, the excited voices of the kids had him smiling.

"Daddy's gonna love it!" Angie scream-whispered, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

"He totally is," DJ agreed.

"Good morning," he announced, and before he could blink, Angie flung herself into his arms and tossed a fistful of confetti in the air above their heads.

"Happy birthday, Daddy!" she exclaimed, followed by DJ, who had been trying to keep a straight face at his sister's antics but failed miserably. "Happy birthday, Dad!"

"Thanks, buddy! Thank you, baby girl. You guys are up early," he said, hugging DJ after placing Angie on her feet.

DJ grinned. "We've got surprises for you."

Angie bounced in place. "Big surprises!"

Steve raised an eyebrow and exchanged a grin with Catherine as she pecked his lips, saying, "Happy birthday again."

"Thanks. Surprises, huh?" He asked the kids, "What kind of surprises?"

DJ glanced at his sister who was practically vibrating, and said, "You tell him, Angie."

"Birthday breakfast! We made pancakes!" she said, "With sprinkles, but not too many on yours."

"Pancakes!" Steve grinned. "My favorite. And you made them?"

"Mommy helped, but me and DJ did most of it. There's fruit and mango coconut muffins, too."

"They did all the work. I only supervised Angie at the stove," Catherine confirmed, and when she turned to grab the platter of pancakes, placing it on the table, her face was illuminated in the early morning light. Steve smiled, thinking she looked as beautiful as the day he'd first laid eyes on her.

"Thanks, you guys," he said, "I'm starving."

"Look, Daddy," Angie pointed out. "We made a special birthday pancake with a smiley face and a candle for you."

Steve chuckled. "A smiley face? That's the best pancake I've ever seen."

Angie hopped up onto her chair and high fived her brother.

After breakfast, they guided him into the living room. "We have more surprises!" Angie squealed, her hand tugging his.

"More surprises? You two have been busy," Steve said, as DJ smiled up at him from his other side.

"Wait until you see what we have, it's from Cammie, Pumpkin, and Luna."

Steve raised an eyebrow, glancing at the three animals lounging in various parts of the living room. "Cammie, Pumpkin, and Luna? What did they get me?"

Angie jumped up and down and passed him a package. "Open it, Daddy!"

With a grin, Steve tore into the wrapping to find a mug with a picture of all three and 'Best Pet Dad Ever' on it.

"Cammie picked it out," DJ explained, chuckling.

"Of course she did, smartest dog on Oahu." Steve smiled, ruffling the dog's fur and kissing her head. "Thank you, Cammie, Pumpkin and Luna."

"Here's the next surprise!" Angie said, and DJ passed him a gift bag that contained a key fob featuring a photo of her beloved goats.

"That's very thoughtful. I can't wait to thank Felix and Petunia," Steve said, while exchanging a look and a silent, 'Thank you' with Catherine, who was mouthing, 'You're welcome,' which he knew was for her talking their daughter out of her usual suggestion for every birthday-a goat.

"I didn't even suggest a goat this time," Angie said.

Steve laughed. "That's a real change for you."

"Don't worry though," she said. "I'm still gonna ask for one for MY birthday. And maybe from the Easter Bunny. And when I talk to Santa this year."

"They're gonna have to make a bigger enclosure at the zoo to hold all the goats you want," DJ teased his sister.

"Goats are just like our family. Right, Daddy?" Angie said. "There's always room for more because love makes as much space as you need."

Steve smiled and kissed his daughter's forehead as Catherine's hand fluttered to her chest. "That's right."

"And look. There's even more surprises!" Angie giggled.

"More surprises? I'm a very lucky guy."

DJ looked at Angie, a conspiratorial grin passing between them.

"They're super special!" Angie insisted, bouncing on her toes.

Catherine joined Steve on the sofa, a soft smile on her face. "Let's not keep Daddy in suspense any longer."

"You have to close your eyes first, Dad," DJ instructed, and Steve complied, chuckling under his breath.

"Alright, my eyes are closed."

He could hear the rustling of feet and the whispers as they prepared and DJ said, "Go first, Angie."

"Okay, Daddy! Open your eyes!" She declared, and Steve opened them to see a gift bag clearly decorated by the glitter-loving seven year old. "I'm taking you on a special lunch next weekend, just you and me, that's a gift card and I made it with my glitter pens … and we have matching shirts!" She giggled in pure delight as he pulled them from the bag. "Like Father, Like Daughter … So Look Out World" was written on camo shirts under a photo of them wearing matching tac vests showing their McGarrett nameplates.

Steve's face lit with a smile that outshone the sun as he pulled her into a hug. "These are perfect, baby girl. We can wear them today."

"Yay! You love them!" She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek before looking at her beaming brother. "Your turn, DJ."

"Happy Birthday, Dad," The pre-teen said, holding out a large box.

Pulling out the gift, Steve's heart skipped a beat. It was a shadow box that showcased an image of Steve's grandfather and himself. Both in uniform.

"Wow," he breathed, examining it closely.

DJ smiled. "It's kind of a reminder that you're our hero, Dad. Just like Great Grandpa Steven was a hero."

Steve felt a lump in his throat, overwhelmed by his son's thoughtfulness. "This is incredible, buddy, thank you so much."

"You love it!" Angie clapped in delight.

"I love it more than I can say," he replied, pulling them both into a tight embrace. "You've made this the best birthday ever."

"Well just wait!" Angie bubbled. "Because the last surprise is that we're havin' a birthday barbecue this weekend and me and DJ helped Grace with the guest list and we invited everybody we know!" She threw her arms in the air.

Steve looked at Catherine with mild panic. "How many people is that?"

"A lot." She smiled. "It's a good thing your enclosure expansion skills are top notch."

THE END

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